The Dark Side of Hunting Media w/ Matt Rinella | HUNTR Podcast

[@blakewenger2718]

Matt is spot on when he says that media is destroying hunting. We have had an explosion of leasing in the last 15 years. I believe the hunger for trophy deer has overcome the idea of letting your neighbors son get his first deer. or just go squirrel hunting. Leasing is killing access in Ohio. Leasing makes me wish deer didn't have antlers!

[@goomer2215]

Man this is definitely conflicting. Matt raises some good points, especially with the Hunting Public stuff. I love watching them, but when I really think about it - if they came to the WMA closest to me and filmed a show and all of a sudden it becomes way overcrowded I’d be pretty upset. I think public lands naturally get more crowded but it would be the unnatural, sudden influx that would be frustrating

[@ryannoel8978]

And they spend that time running and gunning spooking the area out

[@pilsenoutdoors3721]

public land is just that. IT just comes off like land is just for one person and not for everyone and most hunting shows don't show exactly what piece they're hunting. Plus anyone chasing where shows hunt are cornballs. There's animals everywhere.

[@goomer2215]

@@pilsenoutdoors3721 there are always going to be those chasers though. I could be wrong, but I’d guess that if you shot a big buck on public you wouldn’t go post exactly where you shot it? And why not. Well because 99% of people don’t publicly post their hunting spots so as to keep their hard earned scouting/hunting mostly secret. But hunting media shows literally have to post that stuff to make money. Sure they won’t show exactly where they’re at, but sometimes it’s inevitable that a key landscape feature or something gets shown. And don’t get me wrong, on the flip side if they went to a piece of public somewhat near me and shows a bunch of big bucks and I knew where it was would I be tempted to go check that place out? Sure why not. Yes it’s public property and I’ve run into my fair share of natural crowds. But it’s understandable that nobody, when given the choice, would want the places they hunt to be posted online

[@lukeminey2059]

THP goes out of their way to not give away spots they'll mention a state maybe an area like Southern Western etc they have even edited clips to avoid showing prominent landmarks and all the topo maps they show in videos are for just that show so if they do give away a spot it wasn't intentional and it's more likely someone was really really good at geomapping by the videos they post

[@mmafreaks4871]

they've pretty much done this to my whole state... Idaho is so crowded now. It sucks.

[@yamsandpotatoes4243]

social media sometimes makes it look like hunting is some serene experience in nature where everything goes as planned etc but it is always a rollercoaster of dice rollin' chances, breakdown of plans, coming together of a new plan, reaching that goal you have came here for. they take too much of the "ugly" stuff out, and it makes new hunters discouraged from failures

[@kyleevans1962]

I’m with you guys on a sudden decrease in hunters would be a great thing. I hate to say it but because of the hunting media hunting has become a fad and too easy. But, I know for a fact the way I was raised in hunting and the way I will raise my boy in hunting, we will be what is left. In the history of the world, a mass exodus isn’t always a bad thing.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Totally agree it’s a cycle…it will drop and be great then Slowly build back up

[@joejohnson-vr4ik]

It’s not the same. I have to hike in sheep country 9,000 + to stay away from the First Light army. Maybe if MeatEater created more public land at the same rate as they machine out new hunters

[@quintenbullard2921]

Hunting media lowers the hunting ability to some but to other but raises others. He was around people who were naturally exposed to it before it but that’s not most people. I would rather have trouble drawing tags than not have any tags. It’s a shame to have something and not share it. The reason it’s spread is because it’s awesome. You can’t get mad at someone who love what you love. He’s comin to this as the victim who had something taken because he has but disregards that now something else can have those experiences. That’s the selfish part of Matt. He wants it how he wants it. It’s not about the animals. How do we get wolf hunting and keep from loosing grizzly bear. On top of that trapping is being taken.

[@quintenbullard2921]

People have been expanding their hunting ground since the beginning of time. That’s how America became America. So we wouldn’t be here if Americans didn’t do it from the creation of our country. So maybe nobody should hunt their spot because it could have been someone else’s that they were pushed off. I know Oklahoma have a tax anything outdoor that goes to conservation

[@HUNTRPOD]

Great points. I also think the western mindset is VERY tough to process. The average western hunter only has 59 days to hunt, in the east (Midwest in that) is more than double at 139 days. The density of hunters is astronomical in the East versus the west not to mention the amount t of land access in West states. You just can’t process it until you’ve hunted saturated states and I think that’s Matt’s issue

[@quintenbullard2921]

⁠@@HUNTRPODif you don’t feel like you own the land then why get mad at people being there. If it’s public then we all can be there. If you don’t want to deal with people pay for an outfitter or private land. It’s not like you can’t go. You just don’t like how it is and not because it’s worse for animals. One side nobody mentions is the developments and advances in technology have been pushed because there so many people using them. I don’t disagree that it couldn’t be better. I just don’t think having less people is a good thing. And you made the comment that eventually the pressure from so many people hunting that most people will stop hunting. Which I agree because I hated my experience out west and I don’t know if I want to go back. With that said. There is still the opportunity to go. And I think that’s what most people care about and what most states want. That also means open up more access but I don’t think it should be held against anyone to want to buy or lease land and I don’t think the people who make money are inherently wrong for making money. And I don’t think they should be held accountable for sharing their experiences but the community needs to come together to keep shot birds out. Not say all are bad because there’s more people. That’s like having a good idea and either holding it back for yourself or getting mad at other for doing it. The reason people go is because they have a desire to go same as the people who were going before them. My point is the barrier for entry can’t be that you were born into it or a buddy showed you. You should have access to information. And then have more people to put more awareness on issues that involve the outdoors. Like where is all the money going and why aren’t we seeing anything? But I’d there no community because we kept it to ourselves nobody’s gonna care if we can’t chase the critters. I don’t necessarily disagree with his points. More so how he came to them It’s nice to see another perspective even if I get pissed in the moment because what he’s against has shown me what is possible. So I’m the problem. Anyone who gets any information that wasn’t a self taught would be the problem. I learned how to trap from videos and books. Without that outlet I’d never caught anything and would have quit. I just disagree that information is the issue. You can’t make the argument that your spot got taken because there’s a good chance you took that spot from someone you never knew was there. Basically nobody hunts where no other human has been and if you are then there’s probably nobody else there. But if someone already hunted there then it wasn’t your spot.

[@quintenbullard2921]

@@HUNTRPODit sounds like he’s mad at people having/getting money and using it how they like. I agree on the government needing to be better about access but not on not having the ability to buy land and do what I want with the resources that I worked to get. Because someone else doesn’t want to do the same. We all have the opportunity to buy land just may not have had the resources to do so but that’s not society. Not now in America. But I haven’t read anything that shows the number of animals declining other than turkeys in some states. You also have to think about the generations that are aging out and not being replaced because most people don’t hunt

[@rjvanetten3123]

I am conflicted because I like Matt and can agree with his view. But no one in my family hunted. If it weren’t for hunting media I would not be here and I wouldn’t have found what I now enjoy the most and dedicate my free time too.

[@changing-the-world]

And they are saying people like you are the problem. Because you are a new hunter. I think the problem is that wilderness are on the decline

[@mattsanchez1224]

Can’t help but think about Chris Bee killing that Kansas hammer on public land, posting it all over, and then going back the next year and crying that there was pressure

[@HUNTRPOD]

You’ll hear it from Chris next week 😂

[@usernamehere6061]

They want all the credit of public land success and the money they get from ad revenue but then cry when others do the same thing.

[@ryanbfor3]

people just wanna be seen so bad its crazy. i promise you dont need to post every animal you shoot or every fish you catch... then to complain when people show up hahaha

[@jz3318]

​@@ryanbfor3for real! One friend of mine gets mad when I take pictures of little fish and I tell them that the little ones need love too! 😊

[@devinwillis7787]

@@ryanbfor3he needs to if he wants to make money on it.

[@jfquest6828]

Is there a different lottery for tag drawing for regular hunters vs 'influencers'? Seems like a lot of them get tags in all the desirable areas....

[@travisshuttleworth630]

Took me awhile to warm up to this guy, but I'm grateful for this conversation. Imo the worst thing social media did to the average hunter is the perceived pressure felt from your peers. " I want to shoot that buck but I'll get made fun of because it's not big" or "I want to give this buck another year, but if I don't kill a buck this year everyone will think I'm a bad hunter". Comparison is the thief of joy

[@HUNTRPOD]

Absolutely man! Spot on

[@tylerjordan9041]

You’re spot on with this take

[@jz3318]

I always get two tags. One for a doe and one for a buck. I've never filled my tag I save for a buck but every year I get a medium sized doe for the best venison. I get made fun of for shooting "small does" but I put meat in the freezer.

[@travisshuttleworth630]

@@jz3318 no shame in that whatsoever!

[@pilsenoutdoors3721]

the cool thing about social media is you control what's in your face. You don't have to follow tons of hunting instagram accounts for example. Just use it as a tool that makes you the most happy, productive and move on. Giving myself permission to live that way has been fantastic. I can still look up technical videos when I want and skip all the drama when that's in the way.

[@metamurph6784]

Am I the only one who finds it ironic he is badmouthing televising hunting, while having been on multiple episodes of meat eater doing exactly that??

[@mmafreaks4871]

yeah, he has the experience to talk on it and I doubt he films now.

[@inspector9128]

Nope you definately aren't alone

[@SPR503]

Everyone pointing fingers at each other when the issue is access and the amount. None of this conversation would matter if everyone had quality access. Time for the states to make incentives for land owners to allow hunting access.

[@dylanwertz9465]

What’s the difference between THP and Meat Eater? His brother glorifies and promotes hunting on Netflix! Love the Rinella’s I just don’t see how taking Luke Combs on an antelope hunt differs from what THP is doing.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Agree

[@mitchborneman6926]

I remember listening to Steve on a JR podcast and he was explaining his brother's point of view. Joe was shocked to hear it but Steve was explaining that Matt doesn't like Steve doing the show because it promotes hunting, and wished Steve would have just stuck to being an author for the outdoors. Taking a picture or video and showing someone makes it so people have no creativity in the outdoors and they don't truly see the beauty in the grind of hunting.

[@robertjoyce3445]

Matt's whole argument is a selfish one. He doesn't like other people hunting because it creates less opportunities for himself! He's and asshole plain and simple.

[@ryanburget4434]

I agree with Matt one of Steve’s early shows about hunting prong horn in Wyoming completely ruined an area I hunt I haven’t been able to draw a tag for years !

[@ep3389]

The hunting public would never be able to do what they are doing if they weren't making money off it.

[@garrettlaborde-u1w]

The hunting public does not reveal locations either unless they are hunting private😂

[@progradepainting3755]

@@garrettlaborde-u1wyou can easily see where they are hunting. Every place the were hunting in Arizona was bombed out by other hunters after those episodes.

[@Elonzo-k2y]

THP ARE FAAA GUTS

[@Alberta_MTN_Bear]

This is exactly why I eliminated my instagram and Facebook. I have been hunting since I was 4 years old and I have found myself when I had those stupid platforms posting things not because I “LOVED” it and loved to share it but because I wanted that pat on the back. I’m glad I’ve changed my mindset and decided to hunt for my own benefit. Love Matt Rinella’s point of view

[@jacobwynn9555]

I did the same thing. It's completely changed my hunting and I'm doing it for the pure joy of it. I've rediscovered my love for hunting.

[@509CCB]

I did the same. 100% agree

[@codysett1]

I saw a short where Matt was talking about his brother and so I sought out the episode, the clips are working boys. Weird conversation. I’ve been hunting for only 5 years and a lot of my inspiration was watching hunting shows. However I grew up wanting to hunt but my parents didn’t believe in hunting or guns for that matter so I wasn’t exposed to the opportunity of others grown up in the sport. I listen to a lot of podcasts and I think a lot of people get too philosophical about a lot of this. I say that as a somewhat outsider newbie. It’s hunting, you want to do it or you don’t. When people talk about opportunities it seems kind of weird no one ever talks about the opportunities of those who weren’t fortunate to grow up doing it. My daughter got her first deer at 11. I still haven’t gotten my own. I’m sure her opinion of things in this subject will differ then mine when she becomes a adult. This all seems a little complainy and I’m sure the influx in numbers will go up and down as the craze of the people making shows Wayne in popularity. For context in 29 and my daughter is 13. I had her when I was 15 and worked 2 jobs up until a few years ago. Also I’m in az. Point I’m trying to make is it’s like everything else. Towns and places that offer something to the public are going to attract people in this day and age. Matt’s not hunting as his only source of food. No one is really. It’s all sport and his is popular as ever right now. The only people who really have a genuine point is probably the dudes who where at the end of their lives hunting as he was a young boy. Guys who HAD to hunt. Not got too.

[@progradepainting3755]

And so, have you even killed a deer in those five years since you’ve started?

[@progradepainting3755]

And for the record, I’m a 4th gen Arizonan

[@Buddystemz]

You’re right, you are new. The decline in hunters has been drastic over the last 20 years. It may be popular and that’s why all the land is getting leased and preventing everyday guys places to hunt that they’ve hunted their whole lives, so they give it up.

[@progradepainting3755]

@@Buddystemz hunter numbers are skyrocketing, what planet are you living on?

[@Buddystemz]

@@progradepainting3755 you must be a young kid. There might be more of these people posting videos, but all you have to do is google and look at the reports and it’ll show you there has been a steady decline. The amount of youth hunters is droppin every year because kids would rather stay inside and play on electronics. Idk what planet you live on. Back in the 80s,90s, early 00s you’d see tons of hunters , groups of deer drivers and you rarely see that anymore. Land is gettin taken up every year and leaves people nowhere to hunt.

[@Iowa_Whitetail]

I LOVE THAT “WE” ARE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS!!!!!! Whatever your views on these very complex issues… & there are issues... We all are part of the problem & we can be part of the solutions as well. Until we continue to flush these issues through & fix our own house - issues get worse. Fantastic this dialogue taking place. Fantastic some folks who are “pimping hunting out” are getting called out (crossbow companies for example that pay lobbyists & politicians - ruin states & they get rich). I’m 1/3d through but fantastic more convos like this are happening!!!! 👍💪🔥👊

[@HUNTRPOD]

Thanks man…it’s an uncomfortable conversation. But that means it needs to happen

[@ryderwuest4039]

This is the most important podcast about hunting I’ve heard in years. There are people with profit incentive that do not care about you or the animals. They will lie to your face and say they do.

[@johnny_fins]

he's 100% right about social media, tv shows, and the hunting public guys specifically. they're not bad guys and in their mind, doing it for the right reasons. but the negative impact social media has on hunting is multi faceted. all of those impacts FAR exceed crossbows, longer seasons, etc. not even close

[@HUNTRPOD]

I still think the THP stuff is a miss. Those guys are trying to bring the fun back into hunting which has been pushed to guys killing big bucks and saying “Not my biggest…” before telling us anything about the HUNT

[@johnny_fins]

@@HUNTRPODyou're thinking about this backwards. THP is NOT producing a culture that is "not my biggest but". if we're going to give them credit, it's the exact opposite from those guys. Matt is essentially saying that access, tags, values and opportunity is negatively impacted by social media- more so because it's cool (recruitment) rather than longer seasons or crossbows, etc. this goes back to his argument about recruiting. recruiting ties into the money and the people who generate an income from more hunters. it's a finite resource and THP is recruiting thousands of people with every video. this impacts tags, land prices, access, etc

[@HUNTRPOD]

Are they??? I mean most the people I know watching THP are lifelong hunters. Not newbies who think hunting is cool, I would say that’s more of a Rogan effect

[@johnny_fins]

you'd be shocked at the amount of newbies turkey hunting on public since 2020 and since THP popped. i've had people come up to me at gas stations in central maine and say they're from alabama, they saw THP up here so they thought they'd give it a shot. different dynamic with deer and turkey. maybe they're having a more negative on turkey. but i don't think matt's wrong

[@joshdinges7946]

you guys are out of touch here. There are masses of hunters that would never even think about hunting public that have now made it into their identity. Look on youtube at the amount of hunting videos that now incorporate the phrase "public." I love your guys podcast but if you honestly think THP has had a net positive on hunting I think you need to take another look. How many "influencers" do you see nowadays hunting "public" and trying to make a living out of exploiting public lands. If you compare that to the amount of channels prior THP it's not even close.@@HUNTRPOD

[@user-rw4qd7ev8x]

Matt is right on the money. Media and especially social media has screwed up hunting permanently. These two guys don’t want to hear it because they’re apart of the same thing

[@Slippindisc]

Bingo

[@alexandercluster3003]

These guys are both dying to lease 10,000 acres to themselves. They are doing everything to privatize hunting. They all but admit it.

[@Slippindisc]

@@alexandercluster3003 it’s not just that. Their livelihood is tied up with the hunting industry. Nobody who has turned a hobby into a living is gonna be like “you know what? What I’m doing is wrong”. No they’re going to justify it however they can. Plus these guys don’t just get paid from the podcast and sponsorships, they’re probably getting hunting trips and gear for “testing” and you name it. That’s why they try to turn it into an argument about the motivation. Because they know they’re doing what Matt says they are, so the only defense really is that their intentions were pure starting out. Which I’m sure they were. Matt makes a great point that just because this wasn’t a problem when the first guy to film himself hunting, doesn’t mean it hasn’t become a problem.

[@alexandercluster3003]

@@Slippindisc These guy’s litterly represent everything that is wrong with hunting. Antler chasing, self promoting and Elitist. All these guy really care about is making money and hanging their turdy point buck on the wall they paid 30k to kill.

[@daveyboy8907]

hypocrites for sure@@alexandercluster3003

[@Outdoorted21]

“Hunting media, reduces access.” Bingo! I’d stand behind MATT Rinella👍🏽👍🏽

[@Summerlovers100]

Then why don’t we as a hunting community start a foundation where we can donate and buy land for public hunting all over the country

[@tfelich19]

While I don't think it's realistic to think enough people will adopt the "Hunt Quiet" mindset and cause, you gotta appreciate Matt's genuine conviction, courage, and many actions consistent with his cause.

[@hirammoore5601]

Guys love your content and love it’s about hunting and what we love to do. But if you can’t see he’s right about THP I don’t know what to tell you. Numbers indicate he’s right. Since social media in general but especially THP public land hunting you can’t hunt public land anymore it’s too many people. I agree that they do love it but also it has caused a tremendous amount pressure on public lands

[@HUNTRPOD]

First I don’t think THP is doing anything intentionally. Second, chicken and egg situation…is it because THP made it cool to hunt public OR because of lack of access. I don’t know many people who have private to hunt but choose to hunt public…at least sane people 😂

[@reddawng43x91]

They intentions mite be good but you can’t disagree when we all know it’s ruining public opportunity for a good experience

[@russelllangworthy8855]

@@HUNTRPODChicken and the egg. Anyone with any sense knows the egg came first.

[@firemancobb38]

I love THP videos.. But I also dread the day they come anywhere near the public lands I hunt..

[@progradepainting3755]

@@HUNTRPODthere’s no lack of access in Arizona, but there’s sure as hell a lack of glassing nobs, because every hill has a ninja on it due to THP and newberg fiasco we were subjected to.

[@haydenouellette3344]

Coming from Saskatchewan here, I think social media defiantly has a bad affect on the hunting world. One example is up here shed hunting suddenly has become “popular” topic on social media and gets likes and views. Now you try and shed hunt and there’s fields full of quads and sleds and tons of people looking for their fame. It pushes out the too the core hunters like myself that have literally grown up doing this what I love too have not fun experiences. I’ve always shared or kept in the loop with close family or friends for hunting things related. But I’ve never wanted too get famous with it and over promote it all too where people just think it’s so cool and can get popular with it through social media. What I believe will hurt the hunting world is hunters themselves and just how the world is going. Need too keep it more simple and keep it true, just love the hunting and being out in the wild and take it all in within yourself.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Exactly our point…you now feel like your having bad experiences as the die hard hunter. Not cool at all

[@DUCKS2525]

What a great conversation! My family have been going out to Kansas for the last 12 years and this was the first year we didn't draw. I have myself and 3 daughters! I take them out for 7 days, I do not hunt at this time! It is just for them. Then after I take them I return to hunt myself and my best friend for a week. I really think the Crossbow season has contributed to over entry for the Kansas bowhunting draw! I would love to see Kansas remove the baiting all together! Thanks again for Matt Rinella for his view also. Really great conversations!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Appreciate the input, you all cash in that preference point next year and get back out!

[@thepracticalrifleman]

Basically, he’s mad more people want to hunt.

[@TronimusPrime]

Im not afraid to say it. I cant stand the hunting public, and they only got worse ever since ranch fairy joined them.

[@russellallen9648]

Im completely on board with Matt... as a man in my 50s I pull a issue with any hunting group that travels state to state harvesting animals and filming for purpose of monetary gain. Look in my opinion there is a lack of ethics by todays modern hunters

[@Bullets4Bucks]

Matt couldn't be successful and famous like his brother so he started a pos movement.

[@wildchild795]

But its never going to be an equal playing field. Some states have better and more deer, some people have jobs let them afford time off and gear and tags, everyone has different opportunities because as your parents surely told you, life is not fair

[@jaredjackson3219]

Dude in the black hat just isn’t getting it at all. I mean he’s constantly using irrelevant analogies and completely missing Matt’s points to an annoyingly degree. Just talking and telling stories and taking sides on things that have nothing to do with the points Dr. Rinella was making. Amateur stuff.

[@FirePirate099]

Matt is absolutely correct about the percent of farmers income coming through govt subsidies

[@mitchborneman6926]

My dad passed away four years ago, he would have loved this conversation. I think back to talking with him about the outdoors and he loved the stories and face to face stories. He never promoted hunting and didnt really take pictures and show people his successes either. But he loved hunting for hunting and loved hearing others stories of enjoying the outdoor. I would only think he and matt would agree on so much.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Sorry about your dad, but those memories will always be gold

[@RaisedOutdoors]

This guy sounds bitter and jealous. I thought it was interesting to watch The Hunting Public come to Arkansas to find out how difficult the public land is here. And if you watch they try to avoid areas people are hunting. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a group of guys hunting how the average guy hunts. Heck most of the deer they kill aren’t even deer most people would take except a few they take in Iowa. Funny to hear people talk about how content and social media harm hunting while making money discussing it on audio platforms and social media. Then to say he has a problem with the hunting public making money through Social Media platforms hunting public land but no issues with rich outfitters making money outfitting on public land for the rich people. Just seems hypocritical because it’s ok if it suits what you like

[@Verticalbowoutdoors]

He’s right 100percent that media is destroying the passion of hunting. I once until very recent had two farms combined 1200 acres was able to hunt with my kids. I grew up hunting these two farms, my parents started me in hunting on these two farms and now gone because of media driving people from out of state here to lease these farms and I couldn’t outbid the money these people dropped to leases these farms I had no choice but to buy a small tract of land just to hunt and be able to take my kids out and when I say small I mean 17 acres because the price of land is skyrocketing thanks to media driving everybody in to lease up everything around me. I’m almost to the point that I will no longer hunt and just stick with target shooting and 3d comps. Hunting sucks now all thanks to the media.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Yea it’s wild to see where things are, a lot of things to think on

[@dennybirchfield]

Hunt public

[@russelllangworthy8855]

@@dennybirchfieldCome on, Denny. Terrible response.

[@Jb-qn2xz]

17 acres isn't really a small tract, I get comparatively to a 1200 acre farm it's small. I wish I had just an acre to put a feeder on.

[@dennybirchfield]

@@russelllangworthy8855 That did sound rude After I re-read it, I didn't mean it that way. I just meant public most of the year and save that 17 acres for you know, the rut or something along those lines.

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

Gets good around 29:30 . I own 40 acres and put 3k a yr into food plot and apple trees and habitat. I see roughly 20 deer a hunt. 4 miles away on state land I seen 5 deer in 6 days 6 yrs ago. Y I bought property.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Yea sorry took us priming his pump to get going…

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

​@HUNTRTUBE nothing to be sorry about bullshittin is a big part of hunting. Also private land owners do tons of habitat work to get access to animals. Federal gov could timber harvest like they did before the early 90s.

[@Iowa_Whitetail]

Great stats!!!! That should be a stat that wakes People up. I grew up in MI & hunted whole state. The hunting got so bad - thousands of hunters literally QUIT!!! Access to quality hunting was absolutely terrible when I quit hunting there & I’m part of that stat. All while MI passed every new weapon & season known to man!!! Incredible MI lost that many hunters & so few know or understand it!!

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

@@Iowa_Whitetail my man skip. 💪. Thank you for posting the double tree rye blend on iowawhitetail. I am in Harrisville area north of Oscoda and after first frost that's the only blend seems to hold up to browse. I plant little earlier than most first weekend in August.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Skip is all about the knowledge man!

[@still1.]

Social media has also ruined for many a once sacred striped bass fishing area, the Cape Cod Canal, in Massachusetts. What took years to learn and when the bite turned on, everyone knew to keep it to themselves. Now within 10 minutes of a run of fish it's all over numerous FB pages and the banks are lined shoulder to shoulder in short order. People used to have to put in the time and energy to learn. Not anymore and I can't imagine the amount of additional strain it puts on the fishery.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Wow great example. I saw the same with the runs in Erie for steelhead and salmon.

[@still1.]

@@HUNTRPODit can be so frustrating.

[@dankfishing716]

How’s walnut? Lol social media sucks

[@swampthing68]

Facebook destroyed mountain lakes in montana. Bragbook

[@ericbishop8757]

"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US" I have argued some of these similar points for years, but I didn’t truly understand where it was coming from… I just FELT a gradual encroachment on what we do. I still can’t articulate it the way I want to. I am, most certainly, guilty of contributing to the issue by posting photos of my hunts (though I make exactly zero dollars from doing so and I almost always try to include the story of WHAT THE HUNT MEANS TO ME). Thank goodness, Zuck’s minions have had the good sense to severely limit my “reach” to only about 10 family members and friends. This issue has REALLY come home to roost in the past 5 years. HARD! I pray that we can find a way forward… I suspect… we won’t.

[@TipOfTheSpear_]

Social media is the worst thing that has ever happened to hunting, it’s all for looks and likes.

[@ericluchtenburg2818]

I agree that we don't need more recruitment. I will replace myself with my kids. But can I just say as a life long hunter I do enjoys hunting shows and products like meateater and shocky and I don't see the recruitment issue as much with them as I do with someone like randy Newberg

[@mtndeer]

It’s so much trouble that everybody loves the same things, it’s so much trouble to want other people to have a great experience but never at the expense of your own? All we do is suffer other peoples freedoms….. does everybody at a concert get mad when someone else enjoys the music? Why is hunting differentThe problem is attitudes ….that’s it! Don’t make more out of it than it is, you can love it the way you want to and you can hate it the way you want to, it’s a personal choice and nothing less than that. If you’re in the field and you see orange and you feel bad maybe you should take up music.

[@OBSZIDIAN548]

If your goal is to harvest an animal, it's gloves off. If you are a hunter and want to make it a challenge...power to you. I am originally from PA and now live in Wyoming. I left PA because of hunting pressure and lack of opportunities to hunt game, I was tired of doing everything the hard way and jockeying for spots. I was exhausted from lazy hunters coming in at first light after me being there from dark to dark and pushing deer out. I still compete....but on millions of acres it's a little easier to avoid "pressure". Land is scarce everywhere else and the hunter to deer to land ratio is absurd. And PA with their no hunting on sundays was the most obnoxious law for any hunter....hunting is now a pay to play game. The wealthy will always have a prime place to hunt, with way better game numbers. When it comes to a decrease of hunters I call BS.....there is less land and access than there has ever been, there are more whitetails than ever but they are a business now. Hunting is a business and we will LOSE it...unless we become elite hunters like Steve Rinella, Randy Newberg, Jim Shockey, and so on.

[@cjr4497]

I have so many thoughts on this. I have been following this subject since the 90's. It is not new. It is just hitting home in places where it was never a factor. Pride and money are the drivers. Almost everyone is part of the problem and very few are trying to fix it. Those that want to fix it can't. Believe it or not the privatization or "Europeanization" of hunting used to be an open concern of the hunting industry in the 90's. Almost all the major media outlets used to caution of what was to come. The horn porn of the late 90's kicked things off on a macro level. Then local politics and local media did the deed on a micro level all over the country. In Louisiana we have been run through for a long time now with both waterfowl land and big game land. The head of our wildlife department is was quoted to say "We don't manage wildlife here. We manage opportunity". Looks like the word "opportunity" is the new euphemism taking hold of the increasing leftwing mindset mindset of state agencies the same way the term "inclusivity" is used to cause trouble in the wider world today. This whole issue is incredibly nuanced. Sorting it out in a way that benefits everyone is unlikely.

[@MyLifefunthingss]

Good take. Fair points. Never thought this could be some long standing symptom of the American Political battlefield. It’s sad that we have to have the reality of the degradation of a resource.

[@Alberta_MTN_Bear]

1:21:00 The argument is, baseball isn’t a resource requiring the efforts of conservation to maintain its place in society. It’s renewable through the manufacturing process. Hunting is only sustainable if the efforts from biologists and ethically motivated hunters exercise active practices to ensure its longevity

[@illinoispublicland4680]

20 minutes in and Matt has said 6 words lol im trying to stay engaged boys I’ll hold out to the end 😅

[@HUNTRPOD]

It took a little bit to get him going. We honestly try NOT to do that but we can just tell when we have to prime the pump a bit…it’s turns on

[@illinoispublicland4680]

@@HUNTRPOD definitely get it but glad I made it through to the end. Appreciate that you guys put more controversial individuals on the pod. It’s just good to understand different perspectives. I want to see a game warden on the podcast!

[@Tspin317]

Glad he wasn't an early podcast. The boys have gotten better at their craft and know how to match the guest at the start and slowly bring them up to snuff. Nothing against him. Not everyone is great for interviews at first.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Haha we used to be so fucking excited we would talk over people…we are getting better at this. Listen, we are just a couple of diehard deer hunters who want to talk about deer hunting, people acted like we should have been Rogan by episode 10 lol

[@homeinthewhiteoaks]

I know this comment is late to this conversation but I just had to state that one point being missed is that farms today don't hunt the way that they did when I started hunting in the 1970's. Farms were small with patches of cover or fence rows. We had deer, quail, squirrels and rabbits on small 40 and 80 acre tracts. Looing at places I used to hunt just on a drive around my county are now 2000 acre fields of one crop. There is no cover for wildlife in the large AG operation of today, like there was when 4 row crop equipment was the norm, farming 100 acre fields. Just that change took millions of acers of access away from hunters. I know guys that have farms, but hunt elsewhere simply due to the fact that there is not a tree left on the family land. Its crop land from border to border.

[@superduece2291]

these are genuine honest questions & statements. I know you guys are fans of the hunting public and I've also heard you say multiple times that you hate running into others on public and being in overcrowded areas. I have had spots in MN & ND completely ruined by the THP guys (Zach), NR any deer bow license apps have significantly risen since they showed them hunts. I know the exact areas you guys were hunting by ***marth and since you've spoken so highly about ND do you feel any ownership in making the draw odds worse for others who have been hunt out there for years ? Or what are your thoughts on the matter ? not 100% finished with this episode but i have enjoyed it and think Matt is brilliant. I don't agree with your guys stance on everything but i do enjoy listening at times. i also realize that just by watching stuff like this an other shows on YT i am feeding the dragon that will ultimately kill our access to public lands.

[@tylerjordan9041]

Loved this podcast so much! There’s a lot more we should and can do as an industry. Hopefully this conversation will inspire a lot of us to take a hard look in the mirror, even us at Realtree. I’ve looked at trying to get more involved with the Congressional Sportsman Foundation to have Washington lobby more for hunter access. I’ve listened to Matt a lot and this is by far his best interview to date. Good job, guys!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Thanks Tyler! Appreciate what you all do already for conservation and hunters. We can always be better, just need to talk it out!

[@OBSZIDIAN548]

That's part of the problem......this "industry". That's going to be the demise of this "hobby" or "sport" or "lifestyle". Hunting being industrialized is not a good thing, unless of course you are capitalizing on it.....but you are so you know that already. Things that you love should not be exploited. The first dollar that rolls in changes the game, no pun intended. Regards from a western hunter

[@GodsGladiators-jo4hk]

Matt thank you and I quote, “The hunting industry's own actions demonstrate that hunting television and hunting social media reduces access causing an increase in cost of access”. Draw results are so low that what was once fun isn’t anymore. It’s become a money driven sport for the rich. So sad we live in this me first selfish society anymore. Social media has absolutely badly hurt why we do this in the first place. Thanks for the truth Matt.

[@stevenmyers4862]

Matt talking about The Hunting Public guys making money off of hunting when his brother has arguably one of the biggest outdoor media companies there is. WHAT A JOKE

[@HUNTRPOD]

This is a fact

[@mikeknape7064]

It would be a joke if he exempted his brother. He doesn't

[@DocJillBeans]

I took a 1.5 year break from social media and when I came back I was happy to find Hunt Quietly articulating some of the issues I felt were harming both me and society at large. The key is thoughtful usage of this insanely helpful/harmful tool that humans have created, and that is going to look different for each individual.

[@joereidoutdoorsman.3136]

I never got on it lol

[@timmytuffy5344]

The comment about how guys used to hunt neighbors farms and now it’s leased up and $ being a big part of it- well guess what $ was always an issue for the farmer thT paid for thT land , I get everything always comes down to money it seems but why do hunters always have to use that as an argument - well because hunting was better when the farmer let them hunt for free and now they have to pay him lol😂 maybe the hunters should have always been pitching in and helping or offering the farmer some $ in the first place ????

[@HUNTRPOD]

I mean we live in a capitalist country, the landowner should be able to make money wherever they can on their land…yea off base on that one for sure. That’s why we asked if he was against land ownership

[@grahammorris8881]

It’s not a recruiting issue. New hunters are not traveling to these states for hunting trips. It’s lifelong hunters that normally hunt locallly realizing that western trip is attainable.

[@christophermiller9125]

Spot on 👍👍

[@johnverzuh4725]

Yes, there is that too, but new hunters are flocking to the western states. Whether they move to a western state first and then take up hunting, or they take up hunting in their own state and then they come to a western state within the next 5 years... it is happening. Entire families - whose parents grew up outside the US (and did not grow up hunting) are now hunting Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arizona. I have seen it happen. So, add those to the existing hunters that are now traveling to western states (because Randy, Rinella and Remi encouraged them to do it). Call it what you will - these hunting celebs are recruiting people, new hunters, old hunters, and rich hunters with money to spend on the all the gear. I live and hunt in Montana. I grew up there. Now when I hike 3 miles from any road, where used to see 1 or 2 other hunters only going after a big mature deer, I see numerous hunters with $2,000 of gear strapped to their bodies shooting fork horns. It is overcrowded. And forget seeing a big bucks very often now on public accessible lands. Even the block management areas are over hunted now.

[@timmytuffy5344]

I’m confused why rinella would be ok with outfitters making money off of outfitting public land-isn’t this essentially drawing attention to public lands that were otherwise locals honey holes as well…….

[@HUNTRPOD]

Yea me too seems worse. Like they are monetizing a PUBLIC resource?

[@trentsmith5223]

Matt Rinella is the biggest crybaby I’ve ever heard.

[@ad-archw1582]

I live in 🇦🇺 Australia. We do not have White Tailed Deer on this continent but I’m obsessed with the stories of you Yanks chasing them/watching them grow/killing them. Your podcast has quickly become a favourite of mine, congratulations on getting the guests you have lately and growing together as interviewers/ content providers, here’s cheers 🍻

[@HUNTRPOD]

Cheers brother! Australia is on my bucket list to visit, appreciate the support from Down Under

[@mmontaperto2]

You Aussie’s are all the same calling us Yanks lol!I I actually have a pretty big family that lives in south Australia and Adelaide. Whitetail deer are pretty much like your kangaroo. But your kangaroos are like white tails on steroids. But other than that, my cousins that have come to the states and seen how the deer are here, say that they are pretty much like a kangaroo. Also, the taste is pretty much like them as well and yes, these two are pretty much my favorite as well they do these podcast with no script and say it like it is. There’s not that many shows like this that put it all out there and so transparent most other shows are scripted and all they all worry about is their sponsors getting butt hurt.

[@mikestillborn]

​@HUNTRTUBE please dont, last thing we need is you yanks flocking here and ruining our hunting too.

[@Troffy21]

100% @@LouisWinthorpe3

[@leightonsys5879]

Dang I gotta comment again I don’t find this guy competitive at all it’s human nature and just just gives him a participation ribbon and his jealousy like he just seems to have a problem with everything

[@buckconnolly1820]

Thanks guys! This is the best podcast I have ever listened to. My personal experience with loss of opportunity was back in the mid 90's Bugle magazine published an article specifically naming the unit my family Elk hunts, we used to be able to just buy a tag over the counter and now it's a controlled draw that takes 3+ years to draw for archery and 8+ years for a rifle tag. Just sucks when you grew up with some of the best Elk hunting right out your back door.

[@flux_core_fx]

It seems like the problem is people being selfish, and exploiting hunting for personal gain. Unfortunately we only have finite resources (land)

[@bramolson3199]

Cash is King, but Greed is God.

[@mtndeer]

Sorry just getting around to finishing up listening and have been kind of commenting as we go. Pittman Robertson funds are actually supposed to be dedicated to providing hunter access to properties including waters boat launches etc. hunter education eats up about 50% of it and there are different amounts of percentages taxed on different things like handguns and long guns. 11% with handguns being 10% taxed And paid to the treasury of the US by manufacturers of guns ammunition as well as imports etc. and distributed to the fish and wildlife service. 50% is based on the state size and goes to enhance hunter Ed, programs. Wildlife research habitat enhancement, Shooting ranges and is paid in proportion to hunting licenses sold, sort of like a usage amount.A good portion goes to state owned wildlife management areas and their continued operation along with A funding of technical landowner support efforts. Each state must affirm and agree to the terms of these funds and how they are used and must comply and none of the funds can be diverted.Protection is part of the funds commitment and enhancing access is what it is committed to in shooting and hunting and availability. Hunter education not only for new people but also remedial hunter education for poachers/violators. If disease, environmental threats like PFA’s or research is needed these funds will be key

[@jacobpatterson2032]

Why am I getting a sense that Matt got his best hunting areas taken by people paying farmers to lease the hunting rights to their land?

[@HUNTRPOD]

Bingo

[@rodneypeck197]

He has some good points on social media and some big time hunters buying up thousands of Acre .🤔🙂

[@rltdoutdoors]

Matt sounds like a gate keeper just a grumpy old dude. I think everyone has the right to hunt no matter where they are from as long as you do it legally and ethically

[@mmafreaks4871]

he never said they didn't have the right... he is just wandering why we got to do this massive recruitment of people into hunting. It appears to be for monetary reasons. thats his point and he is right. Look how long a new phelps or cory elk call stay in stock... they're not creating more hunters to protect hunting, they're creating more consumers of hunting products in the name of protecting hunting.

[@MrRex2010]

You sound like you didn’t listen to what Matt was saying.

[@elite-sniper-5096]

The thought to say that hunting media reduces access is insane. Every year I watch hunting videos, see people stories and it fires me up for hunting season. Watching the hunting public reminds me that I don’t have to have 200 acres to go kill a deer. It encourages new hunters to go out buy hunting licenses and try to get into hunting, which in return help secure the land is already being used and to purchase new land and to preserve the land that we hunt. If we don’t encourage hunting and don’t show people how fun it can be and how meaningful it can be in this weak society that we live in it will eventually be destroyed, and no one will be able to hunt. If I was to go hunt public land and I didn’t run into people hunting on it, and I had it all to myself I would be worried sick because I know it would be all coming to an end.

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

1.3 million hunters in 1996 in Michigan. 575k today. Public was loaded. Public is pretty empty in the northern lower and upper peninsula.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Still deer up there?

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

​@@HUNTRPOD150k to 200k but mi has a terrible dnr that doesn't do deer surveys. Chad Stewart didn't help when was on your podcast. Kinda a shit show here.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Man I like Chad we worked together. I applaud him for at least have a public social media page to chat. But sounds that way

[@mmafreaks4871]

yeah they all come out west now...

[@travissmith-wz5nc]

@@mmafreaks4871 or moved out of state

[@paulstevens6944]

His comments on the THP guys is way off track. Let me ask you this........if you can do what you love with passion and make a career out of it would you not do that if you could? As far as them bringing attention to public land areas by bringing there cameras in is also way off base. They never disclose there actual locations other than what state they are in. Nothing is really a secret place anymore once apps like OnXhunt came about.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Yea completely agree. I get the indirect effect, but to say the guys are doing it on purpose is absolute bullshit

[@BeastGrifters]

They came to my state and everyone knew where they were. Word travels fast.

[@mmontaperto2]

i love you guys honestly, but this is so ignorant its insane! im sorry how is this guy in the hunting field? honestly has me heated!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Yea he had us a bit heated too. We agree with the too many hunters to a point. But some of the other stuff Matt has been known to stir up. So we wanted to hear it out

[@mmontaperto2]

@@HUNTRPOD and how does he have the nerve to talk shot about the THP guys! That’s not spot burning because they are recording their content and putting on KZbin! That’s called making content for educational purposes and their own experiences. Who cares where it is. As far land owning, he he need to go own his own Piet and do a bunch of work on it, grow a few big boys on it, and then let all of us hunt it! Meanwhile he can keep paying the taxes!DUMBASS!!!!! Sorry just plain ignorant. Keep advocating for free land to hunt! He definitely reminds me of a Libtard!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Haha I mean he has a stance and I get some of the points, I did not like the THP trashing he doesn’t even know them. All assumptions

[@ELEVATE208]

Some good points made by Matt but all in all he just seems like a whiny man child who hates that his brother has built a brand and made a living off a past time that has been around forever, while also educating people and showing non hunters that hunting is not this horrible unethical thing they think it is. I feel like Matt got his public hunting spot taken by some public guys and has been butt hurt ever since and then his brother getting successful was just his tipping point to hate public land hunters and private landowners. I get the frustration with public land being overcrowded but it’s freaking PUBLIC LAND dude it’s for the PUBLIC 😂. Also you wanna be pissed off at someone get pissed at your fish and game agencies in your state for mismanagement, figure out where all the funds from license and tag purchases go to, then advocate for better management in your states

[@ELEVATE208]

Get pissed for your states allowing so many out of staters to buy as many tags as they feel like because they can afford it and screwing the “average Joe” who can’t afford to “pay to play”. Look at states with point systems for draws, where it caters to the rich who can afford to buy points which give them better drawing odds. I feel more of the blame is the mismanagement of states just my two cents

[@williammcguire285]

While I respect a few points made by this guy, I find him overall obnoxious and selfish.

[@MattJ25]

Wow, this was so crazy… but good haha. I get what he’s saying that we don’t need more hunters and he’s right, I hunt in and around some state game lands in westerns/central PA and I can tell you that I don’t see what you guys see when it comes to hunter access around Pittsburgh. I rarely see hunters in some of these game lands that are totally bad ass, I killed a bear this past year on private that was right next to public and I see 120-130 inch bucks all the time on the private where these bucks come off of the public sometimes, but even with that somewhat low pressured public if some does a deer drive just off the private on public I just throw my hands up and go “well there goes that hunt” and in all fairness those guys didn’t do anything wrong! It just sucks for me of that happens, not illegal but still makes you feel like your hunts done. There is so much to comment on with this video, I haven’t even listen the the whole thing yet and I think I’d have to listen a second time lol

[@HUNTRPOD]

A lot to take on for sure. It’s an uncomfortable discussion but that is why we do it

[@americanagothic7851]

This guy is thinking in 5d while everyone else is still in 3d. Not everyone else but, you know what I mean.

[@tmeyer3]

Is owning your own land for hunting any different than owning your own land for building a house that only your own family will live on, or owning your own land to farm, or owning your own land for growing trees and or having your own natural habitat?

[@woodsrat9]

With your good ol boy logic only the people that had that dad or uncle should get the chance to hunt? But in the same breath you are saying that same father/uncle get you the pass to get into the hunting community? Or do you need to wait till that person is gone till you can fill there shoes. I agree with some of the thoughts that public land is over crowded but who get to decide who gets to hunt and who does not. Don’t hunt over a pile of corn but for you can hunt over my 10 acre food plot. I can’t wrap my head around most of this but I am a simple person.

[@RealRyanDeLuca]

Every hunter should listen to this perspective to balance out the Kool Aid we all get from hunting media.

[@reddawng43x91]

Best podcast y’all had yet! I agree wit ol boy! There’s just not enough resources to give everyone every tip every secret every spot every how what where n why in deer hunting ! The resources are dwindling down to a point they won’t recover period imo

[@HUNTRPOD]

I think hunter numbers are heading to a cliff. It will be like EHD, deer numbers plummet and the ones that survive become better healthier animals. Eventually it will rebuild the population. Same will happen with hunters, the ones that remain will thrive and the resounding experience people hear will build back numbers

[@reddawng43x91]

@@HUNTRPOD I understand what you mean, it’s the law of nature, but do you think our generation “I’m 38” will ever see that or do you think it will take years to collapse and rebuild ?

[@stickjr.3715]

Back in the day grandpa would spread corn around are trees. We saw deer and got us hooked as kids. We didn't know he was spreading corn. Lol. Fred Bear baited all the time.

[@Huntnfish74916]

You talk about how baiting is so bad but you start your podcast with a sponsor on growing food plots. What’s the difference between sitting in a big heated box over 5 acres of food planted exclusively for deer. Nothing! I’d wager the food plot is a more successful way of patterning deer. When it comes right down to it the problems with hunting is trophy hunters that were spawned from social media and hunting shows. The ones with money are the nail in our coffin!

[@HUNTRPOD]

The fact you think there is no difference is exactly why we are against baiting lol

[@Bullets4Bucks]

Imagine if the masses still hunted for food... there would be nothing left. Hunting is amazing right now in the grand scheme

[@rob136916]

You cry because it's too easy and you cry when it's to hard, you cry about people hurting other places but you hunt other places, you cry about new hunters and you bring in new hunters

[@Keith-x8x]

Absolutely loved this episode! Dude was spot on about what’s going on in the hunting industry!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Thanks

[@cope4288]

Dude nailed it.

[@danielcarroll5271]

Too bad they didn't let the guest have the spotlight / lead the discussions. These two guys shouldn't waste the time to book a guest, all they do is yap between themselves the entire time. Instead of fasting, eat some food, and listen.

[@Nickjj05]

Wouldn’t social media promote hunting and bring numbers to a dying sport? The problem with some hunters they are not willing to accept change. It’s not 1990 anymore and we should support anyone in or wanting to be involved in the sport.

[@Origin_Sphere]

its not dying, its growing

[@hectorvega7390]

I love these guys show BUT. These adds have to stop. They put adds up every 5 minutes. There was like 150 adds in this interview

[@wheeliemcgee7690]

I've been able to stomach about 10 minutes. Of this. So much gatekeeping. This is why toxic hobby communities flourish

[@jacobcannon8441]

Lot to unpack with these types conversations. I look at it like this. The internet changed everything, not just hunting. Some good, some bad, some little of both. Also, Hunting land, cities, roads, schools, etc, ALL more crowded than they were 20 years ago. My point is, you can't blame any one thing for changes to society. "Online Hunting Culture" certainly expedited changes to hunting. But that would've happened regardless in time.

[@HUNTRPOD]

Great summary Jacob, we can all be nostalgic to a point but evolution in society is a given. Who knows what 20 years from now will hold

[@Bullets4Bucks]

They talk about getting the cameras out and food plots but they crap on crossbows lol

[@robertopuig7862]

I hate to say this but you sound like a bunch of elitist , I hunt in SC and here you can’t bait on public property, I spend a lot of money and time creating food plots and also bait on private property . I don’t have the time to hunt day after day, so I stack the odds in my favor so when I can hunt my chances are better. Hunting should not be for locals only.

[@Slippindisc]

They aren’t saying it should be for locals only. Did you watch the show or just the first 5 minutes

[@robertopuig7862]

The conversation went back and forth, but if I understood correctly they don’t want more people hunting. One problem I do agree is that social media doesn’t help, I see a lot of what I consider unethical shoots. Whether it’s Clear or not, politicians listen to numbers. If they don’t think there is enough people that hunt, they will eradicate more and more access to public lands and or restrict hunting.

[@TheArrowsEdge]

I agree... and the biggest part is 1 small group of "entertainers" having access to a huge anount of land which causes no one else to be able to hunt it. Let's say 1000 acres of land is divided 3 ways... farm land, private hunting and public hunting opportunities. Farm gets 50% Private gets 40%? Public (the highest amount of people) 10%? Let's say the entertainers pay for 50%, use 10% and give public access to 40%.... doesn't that seem better? I think that's what he's getting at.

[@TheArrowsEdge]

But instead it's going the other way... the entertainment industry is taking over 90% because they pay the most... farmer still has to farm... public gets to share 1%. Hope you don't mind sitting in the same tree 😂. And as far as you buying land.... if the entertainment industry came to you to buy your land for twice as much as you paid for it, would you sell it? There in lies the scenario we're facing.

[@joejohnson-vr4ik]

If MeatEater would buy large tracts of land, far bigger than they already do, adjacent to already existing public land, they could turn that into a conservation easement or something. That would help their cause

[@dogguy8603]

Why not lobby congress to make more public land? Meateaters cause is already a good one, having more hubters is a good thing. Evey hunter they make is one less anti hunter, or would you like your stste to end up like California where the fish and game commission is made entirely of non hunters

[@littleJohn6500]

I feel this conversation so much I hunt to feed my family and if i don't kill something then we definitely don't get as much red meat that year. The money in hunting makes me mad but i go out on public land to hunt and I believe that if you out work the guy who does it because it "cool thing to do" I always been successful in that. Go where they won't work harder then them its cool to take the picture with the big elk or deer on public land but if you not willing to work harder then the other guys you probably won't be successful 10% of guys kill 90% of the deer and elk constantly

[@matthewdefee171]

So much to potentially unpack here, but I'll try to keep it to what I see as the largest point. First, thanks, Jeremy and Jared, for having these discussions. You obviously have incentive (both financial and practical) and benefit from hosting the pod, but that doesn't detract from the benefit the hunting community as a whole gains from having these discussions publicly and in front of a wide audience. We appreciate it! 🍻 Secondly, I honestly understand where Dr. Rinella (Matt) is coming from with many of his perspectives re. publicizing hunting through social media (and other forms) hurting the core/longstanding hunters. In fact, I agree with him on that being the case. However, respectfully, I think his conclusion is a short sighted. He appears to look at the impact of social/legacy media on hunting as purely negative and assume that if these media outlets were to dissappear tomorrow, the accessibility of hunting would dramatically increase - I completely disagree with that notion, at least in the long term. Hunting, in my mind, has become a zero-sum game where nobody wins, and the best available strategy is to adopt the solution where hunters simply lose less (lesser of two evils). Ultimately, conservation of land is getting harder and hard to maintain with a growing population and need for both cities and rural communities to expand. The louder voice has more say in today's society and there is strength in numbers, so at the end if the day, we will have an easier time holding onto public land access or even gaining access to land through expanding state funded programs by having more hunters to fight for that cause. I hunt public land almost exclusively, across three different states every year - the last thing I want is more competition from another hunter or more people to steal my trail cams - but if expanding hunter numbers allows myself and other hunters who rely heavily on public land availability to hunt in the first place, that's the devil I'm going to dance with. Furthermore, State and local governments, and therefore politicians, will largely only support initiatives that they can justify financially (unless and overwhelming majority of their voters don't support it) - increased hunter numbers results in increased tax revues - you start taking that away, and those legislators will be disincentivize to support the programs and they'll ultimately disappear. Lastly, The Hunting Public guys are a net positive for the hunting industry. They educate hunters on ethical practices, better tactics, and increase awareness to state resources (which keep them around). Somebody that takes up hunting and completely focuses on public land just because they saw them do it likely won't last long. Hunting like that is hard if you want to be successful. I personally don't see most people having the drive and determination to pick up the sport and stick with it for long if THP was their introduction to hunting. Those guys make it easy lol, the real game is 100x harder 😂. All good stuff, though. Thanks again for having the tough/important conversations 🤙

[@HUNTRPOD]

Great stuff man, the hunters needed for public land thought is a good one. I think one scary thing is that we talk about the number of hunters decreasing (or so we are told) but it seems more packed. Lack of access is a big part of that BUT go back and find the clip when we talked Hunter Education being the barrier to entry for a license, and look at the shear volume of people who said “I don’t need no damn license”…so my question is, with the rise in government distrust, how substantial is the number of non-licenses (therefore non-accounted for) hunters on todays landscape?

[@matthewdefee171]

@HUNTRTUBE Thanks for the follow-up. I'd hate to throw out an arbitrary number because I honestly don't know how many hunters would fall in that category. Personally, I do imagine it's very low in most places that are even remotely populated. The public I hunt in Ohio is extremely pressured (feedback from other out of state hunters I've met there) and seems to be getting worse each year, but I've still never encountered anyone I'd feel confident saying who fits that description (I don't need a license). Anecdotal evidence but substantial in my opinion given that I've met and talked to over 100 other hunters in the last 3 years. That said, I get at least 1, maybe 2 trail cams (out of about 16) stollen every year, so theres still plenty of assholes out there hunting. Most come during gun season from my experience. I wonder if the total number of hunters decreased recently, mostly hunted private, whereas a large majority of new hunters (still net negative/decreasing) are hunting public. Logically, this makes sense to me - private land that used to hunt 4 people on 1 lease sells to 1 individual hunter. 2 of those on the former lease quit (at least for a season or two) and the other 2 go hunt public. The total hunter population decreased by 2, but public land hunters increased by 2. Extrapolate that out across all the land sales during the historic interest rate lows a few years ago and that *could* explain what we're seeing. All just opinion, though. 🍻

[@timothyradcliff6144]

It is abundantly clear that you haven’t spoken to a farmer. Making food plots is NOT farming for a livelihood! You could have made this more interesting with allowing a farmers perspective on these grandiose ideas…

[@mtndeer]

You hit the nail on the head and the fact that it’s kind of too late. Social media has already happened and it will definitely be a culture shift. We hunt industrial forest private land but everybody can hunt. And I think you’re right it’s time to check our attitudes a little bit and the hunting public comment was right on.

[@tomrichmond6931]

As a kid growing up hunting, we all keep our hunting areas secret. Then the area's started to appear in hunting magazines and then the public numbers followed. So we moved areas further away to hunt. Then there was a hunting video made of this area, the public came and now it's a draw that takes over 20 yrs. to get. It has happened to everywhere in this state and I'm sure many others.

[@johnmcmahon1196]

I really dont mind the long podcast, I listen to them while i work on my laptop so I technically have 8 hours to listen, plus I can listen on my drives to and from work so let them go as long as you want!

[@HUNTRPOD]

Haha thanks dude

[@daltonfleck]

I would argue public land hunters are less deadly then back in the day. The seas of orange I see in all these different units I’ve hunted in different states is crazy compared to back then. The game and fish are corrupted to over profits. Via more tag allocations.

[@malcolmmchose9680]

Other than Matt it's like listening to 2 gay guy's gaying up hunting

[@j.b.bogart8158]

That’s another thing I use to waterfowl hunt around my home town. I eventually gave it up because of the lack of property. It’s been so commercialized that the rich have gone around and leased up any decent hunt property. The average person can’t compete with them. So it just became to expensive to travel for a limit of ducks.

[@chrimsouton]

Wondering if the license sellers care about your experience is like wondering if the lottery folks care if you scratch your tickets or tune into the number drawing.😅 sell the things make the money pay the employees. There may be individuals that care, but the systems/agency's have inevitably morphed into corporations designed to sell products. Tags are products now like cell cams and grunt calls.

[@annehechesliverdonation9624]

These ads 🤮

[@austinpegues8530]

This has to be the most hypocritical thing I have ever seen. They want to trash capitalism in the hunting industry and then they have a Hoyt ad in the middle😂 hunting should be for all. If more come and now it’s harder- be a better hunter. Come on guys. I appreciate hearing the other side but Mat has lost it. Wants to just eliminate social media. We can’t change that so you better just live with it.